Menu

From the Interim City Manager's Desk

August 18, 2017

City Budget

The Governing Body approved the 2018 Budget on August 15th. The next
step is to submit the documents to the County and create the final adopted
budget book.

The 2018 budget is balanced and does not include increases in taxes or rates. The priorities in the 2018 budget include: investing in infrastructure; continuing a commitment to public
safety, continuing a commitment to developing neighborhoods, funding selected strategic investments
toward quality of life, improving fiscal sustainability, and improving performance and cost-effectiveness.

Recent Updates

Department heads attended Smart Cities workshop to discuss opportunities to integrate technology and data into more city initiatives.

14 members of the Water staff have volunteered to work with Habitat for Humanity. The work will consist of assisting in the building of two homes for two separate families. Staff will work once a month in four hour slots per month through December.

Traffic enforcement enhanced around schools for starting date with multiple PSA's posted on Topeka PD social media accounts to high light traffic safety around schools and buses.

Department heads attended Smart Cities workshop to discuss opportunities to integrate technology and data into more city initiatives.

Tiffany the Gorilla underwent surgery to evaluate why she stopped eating. She had both abdominal and cardiac ultrasounds, blood work, a dental cleaning and other procedures done. She is eating solid food again and expected to make a full recovery.

The Health Risk Assessments will commence on August 31st through September 8th. The employee sign-up window opened this week.

State of Kansas Historical Society

The State of Kansas Historical Society approved two Topeka properties for listing on the National Register. The Nelson Crawford house at SW 17th and Plass in the College Hill neighborhood and the Topeka Cemetery.

o The Crawford House was Topeka's first international style house built in 1938.

o The Topeka Cemetery was established in 1859 by Dr. Franklin Crane and the resting place for many famous figures in Topeka's history including Cyrus K. Holliday and Vice-President Charles Curtis.

o The Planning Department staff secured the grant that led to the listing of the cemetery and also inspired the Crawford House nomination through a tax credit workshop held last year in College Hill.